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IRL: Pagan Racing to Miss First Round of IRL Season

15 January 1999

Indianapolis, IN- Pagan Racing has announced that it will not field an entry at Orlando on January 24, the opening round of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League Championship Season. The team has made the decision not to compete in the championship season until a marketing partnership is in place with a primary sponsor.

"We wanted to come out and run for the championship this season," said team co-owner Allan Pagan. "We could probably put together a host of smaller associate sponsors on a race by race basis, but developing race by race sponsorship packages takes energy away from the daily operations of the team. We want to do this right and have a shot at the championship at the end of the season."

Both of Pagan Racing's Aurora-powered Dallaras are fully prepared and ready to race. In addition to preparing the cars, the off season has been spent reorganizing the team's Indianapolis headquarters, building new pit equipment and acquiring new equipment for the shop.

"We're ready to go." said Pagan, "We're confident that we can run out front and win at any track we race. We had the car to beat at Orlando last season but I can't justify going back without funding. It's a situation that's effecting many teams. Hopefully the series will grow to a point where sponsorship opportunities will be readily available to all the teams that wish to compete."

The sponsor search continues at Pagan Racing with an eye towards entering the competition at the second round of the Championship at Phoenix in March. Once sponsorship is in place, the team expects to test 1999 updates before entering any competition.